Bridge collapses in Gujarat, 91 dead: More than 25 children among the dead, more than 70 injured; SIT will investigate the accident

Around 400 people fell into the Machhu river when the cable suspension bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi at around 6.30 pm on Sunday. 91 people have died in the accident. Their bodies have been shifted to Morbi’s Civil Hospital. More than 25 children are among the dead. Whereas, more than 70 people are injured. The search for 100 people is still on. PM Narendra Modi is currently in Kevadiya, it is being told that he will also go to Morbi. A 5-member SIT has been formed to investigate the cause of the accident.

Please tell that this bridge was closed for the last 6 months. Recently its repair work was completed at a cost of about Rs 2 crore. It was opened to the general public a day after Diwali i.e. on 25 October. The district administration has issued a helpline number (02822243300). Apart from this, emergency wards have been made in Morbi and Rajkot hospitals for the treatment of the injured, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel reached the spot.

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More people than capacity on the bridge, this is the reason for the accident
The capacity of the bridge was about 100 people, but due to the holiday on Sunday, about 500 people had gathered on it. This became the reason for the accident. BJP MP from Morbi Mohan Kundaria told Bhaskar that there was 15 feet of water where people fell due to the collapse of the bridge. Some people came out by swimming, but many people remained stuck on the swing. They are being taken out.

Road and Building Department Minister Jagdish Panchal said in a conversation with Bhaskar that this bridge is owned by the Municipal Corporation. Corporation officials said that the capacity of the bridge is about 100 people, but due to Sunday being a holiday, 400 to 500 people were gathered on the bridge at the time of the accident. Due to this the bridge broke from the middle.

This 765 feet long suspension bridge of Morbi is more than 140 years old. It used to cost Rs 15 to go to this bridge.

PM Modi took information from CM Patel
Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have expressed grief over the accident. He took information about the incident from CM Bhupendra Patel and announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the dependents of the dead and Rs 50,000 to the injured. CM Patel said that relief and rescue work is going on. Patel also announced Rs 4 lakh to the dependents of the dead and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

SDRF and NDRF teams present for rescue
SDRF and NDRF teams are present at the spot for rescue operation at the spot. Apart from this, 7 teams of swimmers and fire brigade have been dispatched from Kutch and Rajkot. Control room and help line numbers have also been issued. CM Bhupendra Patel himself has left for Morbi.

The injured are being treated at the Civil Hospital in Morbi.

Air Force Garud commandos leave
Late in the evening, 50 Garud commandos of the Air Force have left from Jamnagar for rescue. 50 rescue boats have also been sent with them. These Garuda commandos will conduct rescue operations at night.

There were many people on the bridge at the time of the accident. Some people came here for travel and some for tourism.

Bridge is more than 140 years old
This suspension bridge of Morbi is more than 140 years old and its length is about 765 feet. This suspension bridge is a historical heritage not only for Morbi of Gujarat but for the whole country. The bridge was inaugurated on 20 February 1879 by the Governor of Mumbai, Richard Temple. It was completed at that time at a cost of about 3.5 lakhs. At that time all the material for making this bridge was imported from England itself. Since then this bridge has been renovated several times. Recently, before Diwali, its repair work was done at a cost of 2 crores.

7 to 8 ambulances have also reached the spot. Swimmers are also getting into the water in large numbers and evacuating people.

The bridge was closed for six months. It was opened on 25 October after renovation.

Orewa Group has maintenance work
The Orewa Group is responsible for the maintenance of the bridge. This group has entered into an agreement with Morbi Municipality for 15 years from March 2022 to March 2037. The group is in charge of bridge security, cleaning, maintenance, toll collection, staff management.

This suspension bridge is a historical heritage not only for Morbi of Gujarat but for the whole country.

Congress surrounded BJP
Here, the Congress has surrounded the BJP government on the accident. The Congress said that in the haste of elections, the BJP opened the bridge early for the people. Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the incident. He said- The news of the bridge accident in Morbi, Gujarat is very sad. I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families in such difficult times. I appeal to all Congress workers to extend all possible help to the injured persons in the accident and help in the search of missing people.

Rescue teams are taking people out by descending into the river.

The king of Morbi used to go to the court from this bridge.
The bridge was built during the princely state of Raja Prajavatslya Sir Waghji Thakor of Morbi. At that time, the king used this bridge to go from the palace to the royal court. After the end of the monarchy, the responsibility of this bridge was handed over to the Morbi Municipality. This bridge made of wood and wires is 233 meters long and 4.6 feet wide. Apart from this, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also called the incident sad.